POLICE have been cleared of serious failings over the death of a woman shot by a former lover at Harvey Nichols department store.

Skin care consultant Clare Bernal, who grew in Groombridge, near Tunbridge Wells before moving to London, was gunned down by stalker Michael Pech at the department store in Knightsbridge before he turned the gun on himself.

Westminster coroner Dr Paul Knappman criticised a culture of scapegoating and excessive bureaucracy in the Metropolitan Police and Crown Prosecution Service but said there had been no systematic failings in the case.

He said that he would be recommending PC Bibi Shah, the young police officer who dealt with Miss Bernal, for a commendation as it was her assiduous efforts that had succeeded in getting Pech charged with harassment.

But while on bail Pech had travelled to his native Slovakia and brought the murder weapon back in to the UK. He shot Miss Bernal on September 13, 2005, at the London department store where she worked.

The coroner said: "In this case we do not need a scapegoat. This outcome could not have been foreseen."

Giving a narrative verdict the coroner said: "Clare Bernal died from firearm wounds to the head. She was unlawfully killed by shooting in the head."